Expedia’s latest Travel for Real study found that confidence in travel comes with ease of restrictions. Most people feel safe as they are vaccinated (69%) and find testing/entry requirements easier to manage (58%) now that countries have relaxed their entry restrictions.
The Travel for Real study surveyed 1,000 Singaporeans between 18-45 years old who travel for leisure at least once every three years, with an aim to understand what stimulates travel confidence in the post-pandemic world.
More trips booked as travel confidence increases
When asked about reasons for decision to travel this year, six in 10 Singaporeans considered it safer to travel as restrictions have eased, and countries have started to reopen their borders, with relaxed entry requirements. Travel confidence is evident with more than 52% feeling more confident to travel – 73% plan to travel overseas this summer, with 40% of them having already booked their summer trip.
Singaporean travellers feel safer now that they are vaccinated and know that most travellers today are. 27% and 29% of travellers aged 18 to 25 and 26 to 35 respectively have booked their summer travel plans, while 33% of travellers aged 36 to 45 have made theirs. Younger travellers take a longer time to observe situations in planning their trips.
The common reason for those still hesitant to travel was budget (45%), as travel costs have increased since before the pandemic. This is most common among the 18 to 35 age group where 48% cited budget to be among their top concerns as compared to 37% among travellers aged 36 to 45. More than half of respondents also felt that a refundable/ flexible booking policy helped to boost their confidence in travel.
Longer time-out from reality
Trips are now planned for longer durations. Of the 73% planning to travel this summer, 50% plan to take one trip while 30% are planning to take two trips. Almost 46% would like to have a trip that lasts at least six days. Travellers aged between 18 to 25 are also most keen on taking trips that last six to nine days (31%), or a trip of four to five days (29%). Meanwhile, 37% of travellers aged 26 to 35 are most keen to take a four-to-five-day trip, while 32% of them are keen on a six-to-nine-day trip.
New motivations for travel
Expedia introduced better travel planning tools for travellers to get the best out of their travel investment during the pandemic, and revealed the following traveller planning trends: visiting bucket list destinations, relaxing and doing nothing was at 32%; travellers prioritise personal well-being more now than before; 31% wanted to try a new cuisine or a restaurant never experienced before; and 29% wanted to revisit a place that was closed during the pandemic.
Lavinia Rajaram, Asia head of public relations, Expedia Group, said: “It is encouraging to see Singaporeans finding confidence and feeling excitement about travel again. With many travel restrictions easing over the past months, Singaporeans have been inspired to take to the skies once again and fulfil that pent-up travel desire.”
The 2022 Travel Trends Report released at the start of the year showed travellers were open to last minute trips and had a carpe diem mindset. Fast forward to now, travel behaviours are shifting towards plans that cater to more meaningful experiences for their well-being. That said, the wanderlust for new sensations and discoveries remains.
“Prices are already indicating a huge demand for travel, and planning is going to be key in finding that sweet spot for a good deal,” she added.
